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September 17, 2010

Heidi laughs at Andy's design choices I really didn't like the judges this week. They seemed like a pack of teasing teenagers. Maybe it was the editing but wasn't it a little uncomfortable when they Heidi and January Jones were laughing at Ivy's "boob hole" while she stood stone faced. And ANDY! Poor Andy. I thought he might cry in the waiting room. I mean, they do poke fun at them most weeks but this one just seemed....cruel.

The challenged was a bit "puzzling" (as Heidi would put it). Design something based on your own "aestetic" (I wish I had a nickel for every time they used that word in place of 'look') but also base it on Jackie Kennedy. Okay? So was what followed any surprise? A bunch of mish mashed confusing pieces. Oh! And I forgot. It had to be sportswear. Please define sportswear for me. Because if cocktail dresses fall under "sportswear" then why even have a categories and titles for clothes.Andy's was indeed odd. Andy? Yes. Jackie Kennedy? No. Not in a million years. In fact I think the only ones that slightly had a Jackie Kennedy aura were Ivy's and Mondo's.

April's was also confusing. Seriously? Jackie Kennedy? Maybe if she had been become a sexy spy instead of first lady. And Gretchen's looked really boring. I'm surprised it wasn't in the bottom three.Mondo was the winner of this challenge. I wasn't bowled over by his design BUT it was one of the only ones that looked like something between Jackie O and Mondo. And I credit that to the simple fact that he found a giant purple herringbone weave.My favorite was Ivy's. I liked the asymmetrical look. I liked strange futuristic front of the jacket and I really liked the asymmetric stiffened collar. And dare I say, I even liked the "boob hole".

Michael D.'s A-line was the one to go home. It wasn't all bad. I liked the back of the bodice and the skirt was kind of interesting but I think pleated A-lines are NOT couture and the judges jumped on that.

As I was watching them critique Michael D. I was thinking, "How little do the judges ever disagree with each other on a bottom three?" How is it possible that four people come to the same consensus nearly every time? Yeah, there are some outfits that are OBVIOUSLY bad. But rarely do I hear a judge openly admit they completely disagree with another judge. Could it be that it's hard to admit it's all relative? That one fashion expert can love one thing and another hate it? Guest actresses are the worst in regards to this. I don't think I've ever seen one stray from the judge's consensus.

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Anonymous
said...

On Tim Gunn's Facebook Vlog, he said that the runway room was not air conditioned; and it has been one of the hottest summers in New York. I wonder if the heat is making the judges a bit over critical and mean. He also said that Gretchen was on a pedestal with the judges, and from what he could tell, could do no real wrong with them. Perhaps that gives some insight to the crazy attitudes this season.

I was watching last night and wondering why not one designer mentioned to the SUPER RUDE judges that it wasn't just an homage to Jackie O. they were told to do Jacky O. with THEIR design aesthetic, I personally would have brought that up. But you're right the judges were just plain mean! I don't understand some weeks if the judges and I are seeing the same clothes? I think a lot of it depends on the designer and what they bring to the show, or how it affects ratings than truly on design.

I really liked Mondo's. None of the others did anything for me. His was the only one that actually fit the challenge and I was glad to see him win. I'm so excited b/c I am actually caught up with PR and can read your Rundown post!

While I understand that the appreciation of art is totally subjective, I would appreciate it if the judges seemed to use some sort of objective criteria for judging. It seems as though they mostly base their critique on initial impressions, or their mood of the day, and I have a hard time following their line of thinking. What do you think? Am I asking the impossible?

I love the show, but i think Heidi is mean all the time, and I don't like how she thinks she is so adorable that she can spew out the comments that she does. Yes, some were not great, but as any seamstress who watches this knows, there was still a lot of work involved, and to be as mean as she is, most of the time, is uncalled for! I truly don't get why so many people like her! Every time she is on the red carpet, she looks the same, and usually in a red dress. I don't think she knows anything about designing clothing.I love January Jones on "Mad Men," but boy does she have a odd personality! Did anyone catch her on SNL? They should have had the costume designer of "Mad Men" on there, not her.It was a very odd challenge and what came out was the result, I totally agree with you.

I was feeling bad for Andy. He really did not meet the requirements of the challenge, but he put himself on the runway for the first time in a while. And it may have just been the editing, but the judges seemed very cruel.

I also loved Ivy's top. Another word they use a lot (especially about Jackie Kennedy) is "impeccable". The blouse and pants were impeccable. The jacket needed work.

Mondo's top had a distinct Parisian feel to it, which was very Jackie. She was all about bringing French culture to America. I loved that the stripes on the cuff changed direction, too.

I would have sent Christopher home. The dress may have been cute, but it was far from impeccable, and far from sportswear. And the "shrug" looked like something was attacking her and died.

And totally second what Elizabeth said about January Jones! Does she have a personality without the Betty Draper hair & wardrobe? Her SNL appearance was awful, and last night she couldn't seem to stick to an opinion.

Ugh. Heidi really turned me off this week too. The judges are really starting to blur the lines between being critical and disrespectful. If Andy had made the exact same pants for a different challenge, they would have been all over it in a good way. They never seem consistent with their preferences and I am always so baffled.

I love love LOVE Mondo's look. Mondo is quickly becoming my favorite personality. I think he really hit the nail on the head with this & combined American Sportswear/Jackie O. with a Mondo sensibility. Great job- so glad he won!

I don't know about you guys, but I miss Casanova! This episode was just kind of a yawn. I agree that it was a hard challenge to do, so I'm not surprised that there were so many not so great looks. Ivy stepped it up this week, I liked her look. And it's about time Mondo won ... he is one strange little dude, but he sure can sew!! Gretchen's outfit... blah and boring. I thought for sure they were going to send Valerie home, as she keeps making the same thing over and over. Tim Gunn was rather harsh to her too I noticed. The judges did seem like they were all in bad moods ... and that January Jones? She was just kind of there ... really didn't contribute much. Can't wait till next week's episode, it looks like a doozy!

the fine print at the end of the show says that the producers DO have some say in the judging... that may be why the judges always agree, and why they are sometimes all WAY off the mark. producers can lean on them to keep people who are good for TV... anyone remember Santino? Talented yes, but in the bottom numerous times. he would probably have been voted off were he not such a CHARACTER.

Ugh! That episode was horrible! I thought the judges were terribly, terribly cruel, and watching poor Andy's face gave me heart pangs. If the judges continue to (geez!) LAUGH at the designers I might have to stop watching the show altogether!

That camel toe quote was Superb! As well as Michael D's assessment of the "levels of Tim Gunn" where each hand position meant a different level of critique. LOL so hard about it b/c it was on spot on. My fav was Mondo, I adore the colors and the lines on his. And Gretchen still needs to get knocked down a couple more pegs!

I absolutely loved Ivy's work on this episode. I really thought she should have won. The assymetrical lines were so interesting, and the jacket was wonderfully designed (if a little small). Mondo's was fine, but i'm not so sure jackie kennedy would have worn it... i do agree that it was a strange challenge.